I guess im a either love or hate person, that talks to much, so you could say I am fatiguing to listen to. So a Grado SR60 is probably pretty accurate.

I be like a child of DT990 and Sundara.

My KZ ZS10 pro like to fall off sometimes when in my bag or pocket. But I will use a different IEM soon, hoping the Hexa is not affected.

hi there, i'm a newbie to iems and i'm planning to buy an iem that's $100 usd or lower, i keep hearing about the moondrop arias and now the truthear hexa being the best option for under $100, i currently have the blon 03 and i'm planning to replace it, what do you think is the best iem under 100 usd?

Thanks everyone.

Update: I used the chat function on the website to get into contact with them and they responded to that pretty quickly the first time. Unfortunately all they said was that they had my order, and could they help me? When I responded (within 20 minutes) to say I haven't received my email with scanning instructions and I also needed them to amend the address on my order, it took them a week to respond to that and it was only because I got onto their live chat again to follow up.

I finally got my email with scanning link and instructions the other day, but they still haven't confirmed my order address.

They told me they've been emailing me and to check my spam folder, but my email address is on a private domain name, and I don't have a spam folder. Anything that gets sent to me goes to my inbox (suspect emails have spam in front of the subject).

It seems like something is actually happening with my order now, but it's been a frustrating experience so far namely because after paying so much money I've had little to no indication that they have even been doing anything. Just an email to say please be patient, our waiting list is currently X months long, would have appeased me.

Hello, I've had the 7Hz Salnotes Dioko since its release (I was actually part of the first ~150 or so customers that had the wrong filter problem).

You don't really need an amp/DAC, it should be fine with or without a dongle. It will require a bit more pressing up for increased volume though compared to more regular dynamic driver IEMs.

Your interface/computer/etc. should be fine. Planar IEMs are still IEMs and try not to listen too loudly as the people saying you need overkill amps are listening at hearing damage levels, lol.

Here's a bit more info on dongles (with physical volume control) and static/hissing/buzzing/et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/zn88xs/help_on_iems_pc_usage/j0fns20/

For the ear tips, people complain about (mid)bass and so use Final Audio E ear tips. Or parametric EQ. It looks like it won't fit but you just have to aim it at an angle and it'll grip just fine.

AZLA SednaEarfit XELASTECs is good when you want to make sure you have a good fit/seal but it can lower/alter the bass a lot. A lot of medical grade silicone or similar ear tips will change or lower that bass, so keep that in mind, though for me often the comfort and fit/seal is way more important than sound changes.

Try to go for AZLA SednaEarfit MAX Standard instead, it's the newer white one that was released this summer of 2022. XELASTECs are also like foam ear tips as they collect a lot of particles and stay in one shape after a while and so they're disposable, you'll need to buy new ones every several weeks or so if you constantly use the IEM.

If you think you have big ear canals, you'll probably want ear tips with the width of 13/14mm or so. But try the Spinfit offerings first.

Maybe try Spinfit W1, CP100+, FiiO HS18, etc. for fit/seal and comfort.

The dimensions/sizing/measurements/etc. for most ear tips these days will be on Amazon/AliExpress/HiFiGo/etc. But unfortunately ya you have to blind buy the ear tips in order to get a feel for the dimensions/measurement/etc. that you like for your ears. Remember, this will also change with different IEMs as they'll have different nozzle length, nozzle angle, and so on.

Here's a bit more info on ear tips: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zkl2fm/best_iem_tips_for_staying_put_and_isolation/j00d5yn/

Here's the reviews of someone with a lot of ear tips: https://www.audioreviews.org/guide-to-iem-silicone-eartips/

Here's the ultimate ear tip thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/best-iem-tips.626895/page-149

This is how you should use Etymotics or really any IEM or TWS earbud to make sure you have that good/perfect fit for that vacuum seal (necessary for the bass to be properly produced): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KwXEqe6Gq4

Again for the phone it should be fine. Otherwise ya you can just get the $10 Apple dongle, it'll do the job. Better to get a well-reviewed dongle with physical volume control though as it'll be safer especially when using IEMs with PC, check the above link about dongles for more info.

Look up oratory1990 (check the subreddit, /r/oratory1990, don't forget the preset parametric EQ list: https://www.reddit.com/r/oratory1990/wiki/index/list_of_presets) and crinacle's articles on what amps/DACs/etc. are and what they do.

If you like a particular sound, try looking into squig.link graphs for comparisons and so on. You can try using the AutoEQ there to make IEMs/headphones sound like the others, just keep in mind that obviously it's not going to be the exact same sound.

Here's Super* Review using the new AutoEQ feature of his squig.link site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWzBw3XBn8c&t=332s

Use any EQ list or AutoEQ from squig.link as a base for your preferred taste. So like adjust the treble/bass/etc. areas if the Harman/crinacle/etc. target is still too much for you.

You can do (parametric) EQ with $8 Neutron Music Player or UAPP on Android. If on PC, the free (Peace) Equalizer APO. There are free apps on Android(/Apple) that can also do a good enough job, but most of them have those graphics sliders instead of parametric or just plug the numbers in EQ. EQ can also be used to help with channel or ear imbalances.

There's also the free Wavelet app that has the AutoEQ available now. And other free apps for more simple graphic sliders EQ, etc.

Sounds good enough to me, I'm looking forward to trying them out. I'm not that much of an IEM person, but I want a pair for traveling. My galaxy buds are nice for working out, but I want something that sounds a little bit better.

Every oratory1990 pdf about the eq has a preference parameter section at the bottom right which describes several eq bands you can adjust manually to your liking in equalizerAPO. Check this page for your headphone https://www.reddit.com/r/oratory1990/wiki/index/list_of_presets/

What are you using to power them? Amp/DAC combo? Amp? Desktop Motherboard audio? Laptop?

Are you using PEACE APO EQ?

Ive had no issues with the X2HR on my Fiio K9 Pro's treble or any of its sound qualities on my Little Dot Mk2 tube amp, or the THX 789 amp I have. I'm running PEACE APO and EQ on Windows 10. Currently my K9 Pro is hooked up via USB.

I did however change out the pads on my X2HR with Dekoni suede pads as they are far superior both in comfort and sound to the OG stock pads. Maybe that has something to do with the fact I've had no treble or other frequency issues?

1. U/blargh4 already gave a good answer that I don't really think there's much to add to it

2. It depends on your ear shape honestly, the right side of my Dioko's with the stock tips didn't fit well in my right ear but after switching to the Spinfit W1 which is made of a slightly softer silicone and could contort to my ear shape I did manage to get a good fit. Generally foam tips cut off some of the treble frequencies and last shorter than silicone tips (because well, they're memory foam) so people generally recommend silicone tips over foam. As for the xelastec the general consensus is that it's very grippy and the silicone is quite soft, some have reported that it could memory over time and retain it's "squeezed" shape when it's in your ear despite being pulled out but I don't have any personal experience with the Xelastecs so take this with a grain of salt.

3. I don't know what the amping capabilities of the Redmi Note 10 is like but my Dioko's has it's subbass halved with it's soundstage completely taken away if I try playing it off of my Poco F1's jack, I think it would be instantly obvious if a dongle is required or not when you listen to your set for the first time

I’d just dial them out by ear. Headphone treble is tricky to measure, they might not even be where oratory measures them on the artificial ear when on your head. And one of the beauties of EqAPO is how easy it makes hunting down these annoying timbre-ruining peaks by just scanning for them with a notch filter.

The only clip ons I'd get are KSC75. They're not good for the price ($20), they're just plain good!

1. You don't need an amp/DAC for IEMs. If you want more power for more volume, then it's a good addition.

2. I personally did not like xelestac. I like spinfits better. It felt slightly itchy after a while. Cleaning it was also a hassle as it gets dirty looking very fast. Whatever gives you a good seal and isolation should be good to get you started. Tip rolling can be interesting, but that is not really necessary in the beginning.

3. Same as 1. Dongle might be a bit better for sound if the DAC in your phone is not good enough, but must phones have good DACs.

hey man, I'm new to the IEM hobby and I bought the dioko 2 months ago.

1. You really don't need an amp/dac to enjoy this IEM unless you want the overall volume to be louder. Although I did buy an amp specifically for the dioko's (I just like some of the songs in my playlist to be louder) you're really not missing much in terms of sound quality without it.
2. I felt like the eartips provided by 7hz are good enough and they fit great on my ears but if you want to get a better listening experience I'd recommend buying better ones.
3. I'm using an old Iphone 6 for daily use and the dioko's pretty much have the same quality with or without the dongle so it's not necessary.

You can just enjoy it straight out of the box so don't worry about the other accessories

Planar IEMs currently need more power than your CCA CRA. So you’d need more gain/volume at the same power level to make your planar IEM sound as emotionally impactful as the CRA.

Honestly… makes the planar a bit safer for your longterm hearing prospects.

Your phone’s 3.5 jack has 24bit/192kHz audio output.

This is as good as it gets for current digital audio.

You need no other DAC to enjoy lossless audio.

KZ accessories are not good. They are ok. All of their ear tips made my ears produce more ear wax than usual. That’s an immune system response.

Your ears maybe happier trying something from another brand. There are silicone tips with foam underneath. Might be the comfort and fit you’d like.

Damn, now I have to do the try them all triathlon. Amazon is not going to like the amount of return I'm going to be doing on a weekly basis lol.

I own both the Sundara and XS and would say they are both quite different. The XS has a much larger soundstage than the Sundara, but I would say that the Sundara has better imaging. I can definitely understand why people compare the two since they are relatively close in price, but I think the Edition XS is much closer the the Hifiman Ananda than it is the Sundara.

As for the AKG 712 and Sennheiser HD660S, I’ve heard great things, but I’ve never personally heard them so I can’t really recommend any actual opinions on them.

1. Honestly it feels kind of random whether a pair needs amp/dac or can be plugged straight in, but like the other guy said, you need a low output setup or it'll get worse and ground noisey

2. Ear tips are very important and a pretty personal choice. I have huge ear canals too and biflanged tips make a difference in terms of grip and sound quality for me. You might want to try them

3. I think that just depends on the headphone. It really does feel random how much support a pair needs. I wore my FH7's outside for the first time last week as was disappointed severely (I have no mobile amps). They cost over 300 and sound garbage without support just to be blunt. So maybe look it up for any pair you want to get and see if reviewers agree on the support it needs

>Do I need a amp/dac

Much like with headphones, it depends on the IEM and the random headphone jack in question. If you want to be safe, get something that is a known quantity.

Aside from noise, which is obvious enough, IEMs are usually low-impedance so you're most likely to run into trouble if your source has a high output impedance relative to the impedance of the IEM, which is unfortunately not a spec you can usually find for headphone jacks that aren't on dedicated headphone amps. Since the Dioko is a planar single-driver IEM, I assume its impedance doesn't vary with frequency, so this is less of an issue since this will only affect volume, but many IEMs have goofy impedance curves and inadequate amplification will significantly affect the frequency response.

"It’s very hard to find headphones that do everything great. That’s why the ones that do cost a lot of money."

Yeah, that's what I'm at the impasse of do I just return everything and get a pair of Genelec 8020s and call it a day or go through the hassle of ordering every different pair of headphones people recommend to see if I find "the sound" I want.

​

Also, isn't the Sundura just a slightly worse XS, and what about AKG 712's and the Senn 660S?

Hello friend! I won't call it godlike but definitely worth the price (and also a bit more). If you love neutral bright signatures, you'll like these . I EQed them once or twice just to play around with the driver and gotta say the EQ worked well. Normally, though, I just leave them as they are and enjoy them at their stock state.

Comfort is going to depend entirely on your specific ear structure. I found them perfectly comfortable. I wear glasses if that matters.

With how popular these are and virtually never hearing complaints about them, I think you'll be fine.

So basically a godlike IEM after EQ and a cable upgrade? :) I ordered a pair and I am very, very hyped to see how they will perform. I hope they won't disappoint. I daily drive and absolutely love the 6XX. I don't expect them to be as good, but even getting kinda there would be great.

Mine's microphone went bad after ~3mnths. I'm not in USA, and weren't interested in helping me, so I just kept it. Nothing else though, ive been using it almost 2.5 years

They are great for sports like running but besides that they don't offer much of an advantage. Unless you like the fit more than the above mentioned.